Clampless headset mounting assembly

• US 20020176595A1
• Filed: 07/30/2002
• Published: 11/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/16/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John J. Lazzeroni, Melinda K. Carevich
• Original Assignee: John J. Lazzeroni, Melinda K. Carevich
• Inventors: Lazzeroni, John J., Carevich, Melinda K.
• Granted Patent: US 6,978,034 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 381/376
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/30 Mounting radio sets or communication systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 2001/3866 carried on the head
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1033 Cables or cables storage, e.g. cable reels cord reels per se H02G11/02; arrangements for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of conductors or cables B65H75/34; extensible conductors or cables, e.g. self-coiling cords H01B7/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/033 Headphones for stereophonic communication details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10

Abstract

A clampless mounting assembly for use with a helmet for attaching an internal headset to one of a plurality of different types of external electronic audio communications devices. External audio communications devices communicate with an internal headset by way of electrical conductors inherent in a mounting post. The mounting post is inserted through a hole in the helmet. The mounting post comprises a base on one end and a retainer on the other end to secure the headset to the helmet, eliminating the need for clamps or adhesives. The electrical conductors may be used in a variety of configurations for connecting the headset to one of a plurality of different types of audio communications devices. An external cable, connected to an external audio communications device, is inserted into an external connector inherent in the mounting post.

Claims

1. A clampless mounting assembly for use with a helmet, comprising:

a mounting post for inserting through an aperture in the helmet, the mounting post having multiple alternative electrical pass-through conductors that extend there-through;

a base on an interior end of the mounting post for supporting the mounting post inside the helmet; and

a first multiple-conductor connector on an exterior end of the mounting post for matably accepting a second multiple-conductor connector for connecting multiple external conductors to respective pass-through conductors.

2. The clampless mounting assembly of claim 1, further comprising a retainer for engaging the mounting post to secure the mounting assembly to the helmet.

3. The clampless mounting assembly of claim 2, wherein the retainer for engaging the mounting post comprises a threaded fastener, the mounting post having external threads and the fastener having internal threads for engaging the external threads of the mounting post.

4. The clampless mounting assembly of claim 2, wherein the pass-through electrical conductors are connected within the helmet to at least one audio transducer.

5. The clampless mounting assembly of claim 4, wherein at least one audio transducer comprises a speaker.

6. The clampless mounting assembly of claim 4, wherein at least one audio transducer comprises a microphone.

7. The clampless mounting assembly of claim 6, wherein at least one audio transducer comprises a speaker.

8. The clampless mounting assembly of claim 6, wherein said microphone is disposed on a microphone boom attached to and supported by the base.

9. The clampless mounting assembly of claim 8, wherein said pass-through conductors are configured so that they may be attached to one or more of a variety of external electronic devices.

10. The clampless mounting assembly of claim 9, further comprising a cable having at a first end thereat a said second multiple-conductor connector for mating with the first multiple-conductor connector and, at a second end thereof, a third multiple-conductor connector for connection to a said electronic device.

11. The clampless mounting assembly of claim 9, further comprising an adapter cable having at a first end thereat a said second multiple-conductor connector for mating with the first multiple-conductor connector and, at a second end thereof, a third multiple-conductor connector for connection to a second cable which is, in turn, connected to said electronic device.

12. The clampless mounting assembly of claim 9, wherein said variety of external electronic devices comprises any one of a radio, CD player, tape player, or wireless telephone.

13. The clampless mounting assembly of claim 8, wherein said pass-through conductors are configured so that they may be used with one or more of a variety of audio transducers within the helmet.

14. The clampless mounting assembly of claim 8, wherein a said audio transducer comprises a microphone disposed on the boom proximate to an end thereof opposite the base.

15. The clampless mounting assembly of claim 7, wherein a said audio transducer comprises a microphone disposed on the anterior of the front of a full coverage style helmet.

16. The clampless mounting assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cheek cushion which covers said base.

17. The clampless mounting assembly of claim 3, wherein said retainer completely encapsulates said threaded exterior portion of said mounting post to protect said mounting post threads.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein said retainer is a threaded fastener, and further wherein said mounting post comprises external threads and the fastener is comprises internal threads for engaging the external threads of the mounting post.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein at least one audio transducer comprises a speaker.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein at least one audio transducer comprises a microphone.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein at least one audio transducer comprises a speaker.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

attaching said microphone to a microphone boom; and

attaching said microphone boom to said base.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

configuring the pass-through conductors so that they may be attached to one or more of a variety of external electronic devices.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said variety of external electronic communications devices comprises any one of a radio, CD player, tape player, or wireless telephone.

26. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

configuring said pass-through conductors so that they may be attached to one or more of a variety of audio transducers within the helmet.

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising disposing said audio transducer on said boom on a proximate end thereof opposite the base.

28. The method of claim 18, further comprising covering said base with a cheek cushion.

29. The method of claim 19, further comprising completely encapsulating said threaded exterior portion of said mounting post with said retainer to protect said mounting post threads.

30. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

attaching said microphone to an anterior side of the front of a full coverage style helmet.

18. A method of providing electrical connections to audio transducers within a helmet, comprising:

inserting a mounting post having multiple electrical pass-through conductors extending there-through, through an aperture in the helmet, the mounting post having a base on an interior end thereof;

engaging the mounting post by placing a retainer on an exterior end of said mounting post;

connecting one or more said audio transducers to the pass-through conductors on the inside of the helmet; and

connecting one or more external electronic communications devices to the pass-through conductors on the outside of the helmet.